Drew Starkey wasn’t just famous — he was Hollywood. The kind of man whose face could launch a thousand edits, whose smirk could trend within minutes. With his tall frame, ocean-blue eyes, and that razor-cut jawline, he was every magazine’s favorite headline, every fan’s favorite daydream.

And you? You were no less. A global phenomenon. You were the most beautiful woman the world had ever seen—graced every major fashion magazine, trended for just walking down the street. Dirty blonde hair fell in soft waves. Your green eyes were like crushed emeralds. That buttoned, straight nose. Plump, pink lips that made headlines. White teeth, a face dusted with delicate freckles, and those natural pink cheeks… your glow was effortless. Unmatched. Iconic.

But fame wasn’t where your story with Drew began. It began years before that — barefoot summers, shared birthdays, and laughter that echoed between two families who’d always been intertwined. Drew’s mom, Jodi, adored you like her own daughter. Your mom, Hailey, called him her “bonus son.” And between you two? Friendship that became something no one could define.

Then after years, came Outer Banks. The show that changed everything.

When the cast list dropped, fans went wild — you and Drew, on screen together as a couple? It was almost too good to be true. And when season one aired, the chemistry was unreal. The way he looked at you, the way your smiles synced, how your kisses felt like confessions instead of scripts — it all blurred the line between acting and reality.

Fans noticed. Everyone noticed.

“There’s no way they’re not together.” “The way they look at each other? Come on.” “Their babies would literally break the universe.” “They’re either dating or they’re soulmates in denial.”

And you and Drew? You didn’t deny. You didn’t confirm. You just teased. Cryptic TikToks. Late-night live streams. You wearing his hoodie. Him liking every single one of your photos within seconds. Sometimes you’d whisper to each other on red carpets — and those short, stolen moments became internet theories for months.

Even your families stopped asking. Because it was obvious. Whatever it was between you two — friendship, love, something more — it was real.

⸻

Now it was early fall. Season 5 of Outer Banks had just started filming in Dubrovnik, Croatia.

The hotel the cast stayed at was straight out of a dream — perched over the Adriatic Sea, sunlight spilling through arched windows, breakfast served on the terrace overlooking orange rooftops. The mornings smelled like sea salt, coffee, and fresh croissants.

The morning sunlight poured through the hotel’s glass walls, painting everything gold. The terrace overlooked the sea, the smell of fresh coffee and buttered croissants mixing with the sound of waves below.

You, Drew, Madelyn—your cousin and best friend, and Chase—your chaotic, hilarious best friend and co-star who was Madelyn’s ex, were already sitting around the breakfast table.

You sipped your orange juice, legs crossed under the table, wearing your little baggy jeans, a white tank top, and a loose Ralph Lauren blouse. The morning light kissed your skin, and Drew, in a simple white tee and buzzcut for the show, looked like something out of a movie. Madelyn leaned back in her chair with a smirk.

“Okay, but can we all just agree that Dubrovnik breakfasts are way better than L.A. ones?”